Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Eastertide

Week

Week 5 of Eastertide

Rank

Major feast

Eastertide is the fifty-day season from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, a time when the Church celebrates Christ’s Resurrection and the life it brings. A “Greater Double” is an older liturgical rank indicating a joyful, important feast with its own proper prayers and readings; in practical terms for family devotion it means this day receives fuller attention in prayer and Mass than ordinary weekdays. “St. John the Apostle Before the Latin Gate” is celebrated within Eastertide (week 5), so family prayers can be shaped by the Resurrection season’s themes of new life, witness, and love.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Ps 97:1; 97:2
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia: because the Lord hath done wonderful things, alleluia. He hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 97:1
His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, of Whom it cometh that the minds of thy faithful people be all of one will, grant unto the same thy people that they may love the thing which Thou commandest, and desire that which Thou dost promise, that so, amid the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found.
Through our Lord…

Weekly Prayer

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Weekly Formation

Commandment 2

The Ten Commandments

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
The Second Commandment protects the holiness of God’s name and everything specially dedicated to Him. It forbids using sacred names carelessly or falsely and requires reverence in oaths, vows, prayer, and speech about holy things.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

John

St. John the Apostle Before the Latin Gate

author of the Gospel of John; traditionally identified with John the Apostle of Jesus, John of Patmos (author of Revelation), and John the Presbyter

Born: 0010-01-01 · Galilee
Died: 0098-01-01 · Ephesus

John the Evangelist is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, and John the Presbyter, although there is no consensus on how many of these may actually be the same individual.

Learn more about John

Today in Church History

Pope John Paul II's Historic Visit to a Mosque in Syria
2001Event
In 2001, Pope John Paul II made history by becoming the first pope to enter a mosque during his visit to Syria. This significant event underscored the Catholic Church's commitment to interfaith dialogue and mutual respect among different religions, promoting peace and understanding in a world often divided by faith.
This visit reminds us of the importance of fostering peace and dialogue among all faiths.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

In the liturgical life of the Church, the Holy Spirit works with the Church to manifest Christ and his saving work, especially in the Eucharist and, by analogy, in the other sacraments. The Spirit prepares the Church to encounter the Lord, recalls and makes Christ known to the faith of the assembly, and makes the mystery of Christ present here and now. As the Word of God is proclaimed, the Spirit gives it life and grants spiritual understanding according to the dispositions of those who hear or read it. Through the words, actions, and symbols of the celebration, the Spirit draws the faithful and ministers into a living relationship with Christ. The liturgy remembers God’s saving works, and the Spirit awakens this memory in the Church, inspiring thanksgiving and praise. This is a beautiful reminder for our families to approach the liturgy with open hearts, ready to hear God’s Word and give thanks for his saving love.

In the Christian liturgy, the Paschal mystery of Christ is celebrated and made present through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At the heart of the sacramental celebrations, especially the Eucharist, the epiclesis invokes the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the offerings may become the Body and Blood of Christ and the faithful may become a living offering to God. The Spirit brings us into communion with Christ, forms us as his Body, and bears the fruits of communion with the Holy Trinity and with one another. As we pray and participate together, the Church asks that the Spirit transform our lives into the image of Christ, strengthen her unity, and lead us to witness and serve through charity. In the liturgy, we also anticipate the fullness of communion with the Holy Trinity and take part, even now, in the mystery of salvation.

¶ 1101

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings